Archive | October 12th, 2018

Davao City – The Eastern Mindanao Command through the 52nd Engineering Brigade, Philippine Army entered into an agreement with Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Local Government Unit of Talaingod, Davao Del Norte for the construction of classrooms intended for lumad learners in Talaingod, Davao Del Norte.

The project under DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS will be implemented initially in seven sites of Sto. Niño, Talaingod, Davao del Norte which is considered Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Area (GIDA).

The agreement provides that the implementation shall adopt the strategy of convergence and “whole of nation approach” wherein communities involved will participate, as well as integration of programs of different agencies shall be observed.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines and Eastern Mindanao Command represented by Bgen. Dionisio Baudin, Commander of 52nd Engineering Brigade, committed to provide security, technical assistance, limited labor, and supervision until completion of the project.

In his remarks, Bgen. Baudin confirmed the sincerity of the military to carry out the task.

“The real job is after the signing and we assure everyone that we are sincere and will carry out the task of building these classrooms for our IP children and youth,” he said.

Meanwhile, the DSWD, Municipal Tribal Council, LGU and BLGU will be in charge of the procurement of materials, monitoring cultural sensitivity, and the participation of the community and tribal beneficiaries in the overall implementation of the project.

Cebu City – Over 300 community volunteers across the Philippines gathered for the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Kalahi-CIDSS 2nd National Community Volunteers’ Congress and 4th National BayanI Ka Awards last October 2-5 at Golden Peak Hotel here.

Dubbed as Pagsaulog (celebration), community volunteers from all regions convened to share their experiences and help enrich the Community Driven Development (CDD) strategy as applied in Philippines setting.

It is a venue to recognize the efforts and initiatives of community volunteers, partner Local Government Units (LGUs), and other stakeholders in implementing Kalahi-CIDSS.

“The Kalahi-CIDSS program is intensifying its effort to provide opportunities for community volunteers to freely share and exchange stories, initiatives, and unique practices that helped actualize CDD in their respective municipalities,” said Maria Lourdes T. Jarabe, DSWD Undersecretary and Deputy National Program Director designate for Kalahi-CIDSS.

To maximize their learning opportunity, volunteers visited the municipalities of Moalboal, Dalaguete, Argao, and Pinamungajan.

Volunteers also discussed their learnings and experiences in Kalahi-CIDSS through various collaborative activities and focus group discussions (FGDs).

On the third day, the 4th National BayanI Ka Awardees were recognized. Community volunteers, in their cultural attires, were lauded.

The BayanI Ka! Awards is the annual and highest recognition given by Kalahi-CIDSS to its exemplary community volunteers and partners implementing and promoting the Community-Driven Development.

Kalahi-CIDSS community volunteers all over the country vied in nine categories namely Indigenous Peoples’ Welfare, Environment Protection, Improved Local Governance, Gender and Development, Promotion of Just Peace, Persons with Disability, Elderly, Youth, and Sustained Community Volunteers’ Group.

During the congress, a national network of CDD champions and advocates was established called Kalahi-CIDSS Volunteers Association of the Philippines, composed of one community volunteer representative per region.

Kalahi-CIDSS or Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services is one of the programs of DSWD that uses the CDD approach to empower local communities to undertake their own development projects by actively and directly partaking in local governance in identifying their community needs as well as taking part in implementing projects that will address these needs. (DSWD)